The feud between John Lennon and Paul McCartney was an ongoing musical exchange that took place on the music charts as well as personally. I find it strange that John who was so in love with Yoko, took Paul to task for composing music that he felt was written for Engelbert Humperdinck. Right there, John dissed not only Paul, but Engelbert, his admirers and the vast legion of Paul's fans. I had no problem with Paul's heartfelt lyrics and poppy compositions that appealed to a greater audience, he always had them sandwiched in between hard rockers on each LP. John wrote and recorded "How Do You Sleep" a vitriolic attack on Paul's musical style. Paul responded with the bouncy "Silly Love Songs" which went so far as to open with what sounds like a cash register opening, coins dropping in and the drawer closing, a la Pink Floyd's "Money". Did he intend that? Who knows, but it seems like a great inside joke and a gentle slap back at John. In any case, "Silly Love Songs" cemented Paul's reputation as a crooner of romantically themed songs. It was hard to escape the catchy beat, "the sort of tune that comes at the unwary out of car radios and open windows, attaching itself like a particularly stubborn lap cat. It will probably never go away...it is sort of a refined disco tune, made for dancing and casual listening" according to a Time magazine review. "Silly Love Songs" Spent five weeks at #1 and would have been there for seven weeks if not for the chart interruption of Diana Ross's "Love Hangover" for two weeks, while it stayed put at #2, then returned for an additional four weeks. No wonder that this song was the #1 song of 1976.As for Linda McCartney's detractors, I say to you humbug! So what if her voice was thin and it seemed she was riding on her hubby's coattails, these two were really in love. I believe her girlish vocals added a quality of innocence and lightness. As keyboardist and an integral part of his band and life, I am certain she worked hard to make good music with her husband. It was a sad day for me when she passed away. I don't think Paul will ever find a friend and a lover like Linda ever again, although I hope he does. I dedicate this version of "Silly Love Songs" to Linda. She put up with a lot from critics, and did not let it affect her marriage. She was truly Paul's muse.
